Preserving History While Building What's Next - Chris Cline, Hotel Santa Barbara

Hospitality Daily Podcast · Apr 9, 2026 · 27m

In this episode, Chris Cline, the General Manager of Hotel Santa Barbara, shares the story of renovating a nearly 100-year-old, 75-key boutique hotel without closing its doors and why keeping his team employed through the process preserved knowledge that proved essential. Chris details how local partnerships with artisans bring Santa Barbara's community into every guest room, and how the hotel's new lobby bar, 1926, honors a centennial while looking forward.

Mentioned in this episode:

Hotel Santa Barbara

Geronimo Hospitality Group

1926 Lobby Bar

Visit Santa Barbara

A few more resources:

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